Polaroid of the Week: Stockholm's Enchanting Winter Snowscape
After nearly three weeks in Germany, I hit the road again. Midweek, I headed to Berlin for a couple of days in my favorite German city before flying to Helsinki on Saturday. While I enjoyed Berlin, I was thrilled to explore Scandinavia—a region I've only briefly visited before, aside from a few days in Oslo years ago.
I spent just half a day in Helsinki before boarding the Mariella cruise ferry to Stockholm. I went to bed on Finnish waters and woke up in Sweden! It was astonishingly easy to hop countries for a day, as many Finns did—taking advantage of tax-free alcohol and returning on the 5 p.m. ferry. Europe at its finest!
My first stop was the Fotografiska photography museum, a perfect introduction to Stockholm. A Herb Ritts exhibition was on, and the panoramic views from the top-floor bistro over the islands were breathtaking. From there, I ventured out into a heavy snowstorm that blanketed the city in pristine white. Gamla Stan, the historic old town (pictured), felt magical—quiet and empty as Lucie and I wandered its narrow cobblestone streets, admiring buildings from Stockholm's 13th-century founding. Built on 14 islands where Lake Mälaren meets the Baltic Sea, Gamla Stan is one of them.
With another day of exploration ahead before returning to Finland, I'm eager to discover more of this picturesque city. The fresh snow enhances Stockholm's charm, and with proper winter gear, braving the cold is a joy. Two days offer just a teaser, but they've ignited my desire to return soon for deeper adventures in Stockholm and beyond Sweden.
